Application of the equilibrium partitioning method to derive copper and zinc quality criteria for water and sediment: A South African perspective

This paper presents the use of an equilibrium partitioning (EP) method to derive generic quality criteria. Quality criteria for dissolved concentrations in water, total water concentrations and total sediment concentrations were derived from direct-effect data (aquatic toxicity data) and product standard data (human consumption standards). Both sets of data were obtained from physico-chemical and bioaccumulation field measurements in the Olifants and Selati Rivers, South African water quality guidelines and South African product standards. Emphasis is laid on the relation between effect and local physico-chemical data. Examples have been given for copper and zinc. Even with the acknowledged shortcomings of the EP methods the derived quality criteria for water and sediments were comparable to quality criteria from other countries.